Havana Club Recruits Celebrity Jeweler for Blinged-Out Seasonal Rum Release

(Photo: Pernod Ricard)

On Friday, Cuba’s Havana Club Rum announced a seasonal collaboration with Jonathan Raksha, a Toronto-based goldsmith known for celebrity clientele like Rihanna, Post Malone, A$AP Rocky and J Balvin.

In lieu of actual jewels, Raksha has reimagined the brand’s Añejo 7 Años bottle with an eye for what he calls “La Cubanía” — a distillation of Cuba’s lively spirit as seen through its architecture and city streets. Each label is adorned with a kaleidoscope of interlocking gold chains swirling out in a vortex design. The expression comes with a handwritten note from Raksha that reads, “Like a glimmering jewel, her waters shine like diamonds. Rich in colour & spirit. My beloved Cuba.”

Raksha is best known within Hollywood circles as the owner of Toronto Grillz, whose designs have recently garnered A-list co-signs from the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Tyla. Raksha also owns and operates Maison Raksha, which has a more generalized focus on high-end watches, eyewear and jewelry.

“As a brand rooted in Cuban culture and craftsmanship, we’re excited to collaborate with such a bold and innovative artist like Jonathan Raksha,” global brand manager Jules Ferrer told The Spirits Business. “His design brings a new life to our flagship rum, celebrating the fusion of art, culture, and the exceptional quality Havana Club is known for across the world.”

Havana Club Añejo 7 Años x Jonathan Raksha will touch down in 12 countries including the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain beginning this month. Fans in the U.S., however, will not be able to purchase the release.

That may sound confusing, as you almost certainly have access to a brand called “Havana Club” at a liquor store near you.

The Havana Club name is currently split between two competing spirits conglomerates. The version produced in Cuba is operated as a joint venture between French firm Pernod Ricard and the Cuban government; it ships to nearly all countries except for the U.S., which has a long-standing trade embargo against products originating from the island.

American consumers instead have access to Bacardi’s version of Havana Club distilled in Puerto Rico. For a deep dive into the political backdrop behind the split, find our full breakdown here.

To see how critics have reviewed Havana Club’s rums, click here.